Harshit Rana Sacked for His Actions in IND vs SA 1st ODI

India's pace bowler Harshit Rana is famous for two things: bowling with a consistent speed and giving send offs to the batters simultaneously. Ever since he made his debut in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in 2024, he has been banned and fined for crossing the line with his celebrations and Harshit Rana send offs after taking a wicket. Even in his first season, he was fined for blowing a flying kiss to Mayank Agarwal in an IPL game between KKR and SRH. While Mayank didn't turn back and argue with the young pacer, Rana continued his game plan.

Well, in an international set-up, unlike IPL, there are some strict rules against giving send offs to players since it goes against the Code of Conduct. Rana was seen crossing his line once again in the first ODI against South Africa, for which he has been reprimanded by the ICC.

Harshit Rana Fined for Breaching Code of Conduct in IND vs SA 1st ODI

Harshit Rana code of conduct was breached in the first game between India and South Africa on November 30. Harshit Rana fined and reprimanded for showing aggressive signs while sending off batter Dewald Brevis. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has fined Harshit Rana IND vs SA 1st ODI.

Harshit was found to have breached Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “using language, actions or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon his/her dismissal during an International Match.”

Harshit has received one demerit point from ICC for breaching the Code of Conduct. Since this was his first offence in the last 24 months, he just received a fine. He accepted the sanction proposed by Richie Richardson of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees. On-field umpires Jayaraman Madanagopal and Sam Nogajski, third umpire Rod Tucker and fourth umpire Rohan Pandit levelled the charge. Moreover, Rana was fined 50% of his match fees.

Will Harshit Rana Be Banned from ODI Series?

As per ICC's Code of Conduct rules, a player is given different levels of breaches before they are suspended or banned from a match. In the case of Rana, it was his first offense, so he received just one demerit point. Once the demerit point crosses four, a player is suspended or banned from a game.

Moreover, if a player gets two suspension points, they'll be banned from one Test or two ODI and T20I matches. So far, Harshit Rana is safe since he hasn't received more points. However, the youngster will have to check his actions as ICC is extremely strict with the rules and Code of Conduct during international games. Rana, being a smart player, losing him in any game will make India's bowling line-up unbalanced. He has been brilliant in the South Africa series so far and was completely in control of his bowling. He is showing all the skills to become one of the best bowlers in India.